Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 885

Chapter 885

The moment the sky began to lighten—still more dawn than true morning—I walked out.
Whether it was dawn or morning made little difference; I would be occupied regardless.

“Division Leader, greetings!”

The salutes from my unit members as I passed helped to cut through my weariness.

After so many sleepless nights, the exhaustion was finally taking its toll. It was not a physical tiredness, but a mental one.

‘There is simply too much to handle.’

Even with one significant task completed, a mountain of work remained. A constant headache had forced me to adopt the habit of using my energy to push back the discomfort.

Ssshhh—!

As I circulated qi through my body, the pressure and pain receded. It was only then that I felt any relief.

“Is the progress satisfactory?”

“Yes, Division Leader!”

The majority of the unit was occupied with packing supplies, no doubt due to the abrupt orders delivered overnight.

We were scheduled to leave for Hanam by the following day, and I had commanded everyone to be ready.

It must have been a sudden command, yet the members packed without a single complaint.

Of course, this was to be expected.

‘They understand that grumbling would only earn them a beating.’

After months on the road together, the lesson had been thoroughly learned: when I gave an order, they obeyed.

‘Not that there is much to pack, anyway.’

We had arrived with little more than what we wore. Even food was typically secured through hunting.

Given their advanced cultivation levels, going days without a proper meal was hardly a problem.

This time would be no different. They would drive themselves to the very edge of endurance, but no further. That was how I liked it.

‘Seeing them strain right up to their limits is always a pleasure.’

That fine line between exhaustion and the will to push past it—that was where growth happened.

“Will you be ready by noon?”

“We will be finished long before then, sir!”

Their confidence was clear. For a brief moment, I considered moving the deadline up by two hours, but decided against it.

“Good. Where is the Sub-Division Leader?”

“The Sub-Division Leader should be in the northern quarters. I heard there was an issue there requiring his attention.”

“Understood.”

I turned to go, but one of the members suddenly stopped me, looking surprised.

“Division Leader, you’re heading south. The Sub-Division Leader is in the opposite direction.”

“I am aware.”

“…Sir?”

“I said, I am aware.”

I had intentionally chosen the wrong direction.

After the events of the previous day, I was not yet prepared to face Tang So-yeol or the others.

******************

Some time later

I made my way to the southern fields behind the quarters.

It wasn’t as if I had gone south solely to avoid anyone. My actual destination lay in that direction.

When I reached the grassy plains, someone was already there waiting.

I greeted him as I approached.
“Have you been waiting long?”

“No. I only just arrived.”

“You are not being truthful, are you?”

“No, I am not.”

The man standing before me was pale and stern, with a single arm. The Shadow King.

Even as he denied it, I did not believe him.

‘It is obvious.’

He had likely been here for a considerable time—perhaps since the middle of the night.

The Shadow King was like that: always present, yet seeming to be nowhere at all.

His presence remained faint, even now.

‘Not easy to sense.’

Despite my heightened cultivation senses, his aura was still elusive. I could find him if I focused, but if he truly wished to conceal himself, could I?

The answer came immediately.

‘No. Not yet.’

But I knew it would not be much longer before I reached that level. It was only a matter of time.

“I brought what you asked for. It is in the food wagon, secured by a formation. Be careful when you handle it.”

“My thanks.”

The item he spoke of was a wooden box containing the Yeouiju—the legendary Dragon Pearl.

‘Even with our schedule upended, I must keep this safe.’

I had not yet had a proper chance to use it. The only person it had been used on was Seong Yul.

I had intended to use it on the others in two days, but recent events had disrupted those plans.

Once we returned to Hanam, it would become a priority.

‘And there is still research to be done.’

Not only the Dragon Pearl, but also the water from the underground pond—I needed to understand their exact properties.

Of course, I would not be handling that personally.

‘I will leave it to the Divine Doctor.’

He might be ill-tempered, but he always delivered when called upon. I was certain he would do the same now.

While I was at it, I could learn more about his methods.

The knowledge would be priceless, especially for the techniques I had been struggling to master.

‘For months now, I have been attempting something, but… nothing.’

Despite repeated efforts, I had made no headway.

I had to concede.

‘It is beyond my reach for the time being.’

Even though my cultivation in the Nine Flames Firewheel Art had peaked, it was not enough. But I was certain it would be, one day.

Why?

‘A feeling in my gut.’

I did not know why, but my instincts insisted. And my instincts, annoyingly, were often correct—particularly when it came to ill omens.

To achieve my goal, I needed a deeper understanding of sorcery. That much was clear.

“For now, let me ask: will you be accompanying us?”

The Shadow King stayed silent at my question.

As anticipated.

“…I must apologize.”

His eventual reply was a refusal, and I was not surprised.

‘Would he come if I framed it as a direct order?’

The idea amused me briefly. If I insisted, would his refusal vanish?

But I did not test it.

“Understood.”

It was not worth straining our relationship over mere curiosity.

Besides, if he was staying, it likely meant he had something important to attend to—probably related to Yeon Ilcheon.

It was a disappointment, however.

The Shadow King was a tremendous asset, arguably the most powerful force at my command.

Even without his demonic energy fully restored, he was an immense help.

But still,

‘Some things must be released.’

“While you remain, may I ask a favor?”

“Of course.”

There was no hesitation in his reply, as ever.

“If you are staying in Sichuan, people from the main headquarters may arrive within a few months. When they do, I need you to slow their progress.”

“Slow them? To what extent?”

“Just enough to delay their investigation. But if the situation demands it, you may kill them.”

“All of them?”

«Hm.»

After a short pause, I quickly organized my thoughts and continued.

«Only those who truly warrant death. I will leave that judgment to you.»

«Understood.»

No further explanation was needed.

It was a somewhat vague standard, but the Shadow King did not ask for clarification.

‘If I had to guess the reason…’

It was likely because his standards and my own were very similar.

 

*******************

Upon returning to the quarters, I saw that the preparations were almost finished.

‘That was quick.’

They had promised to be done by noon, but they were far ahead of schedule.

Efficient, just as I expected.

‘See? People become capable when driven hard.’

Just as a faulty tool works when struck, people too become competent under pressure.

“Eek?”

“What is it?”

“N-nothing… I just felt a sudden chill.”

“Ah, well, the weather has turned colder recently.”

One of the unit members, visibly shivering, muttered nervously. A perceptive one, that fellow.

Smirking, I surveyed the area. As I had noted, the preparations were in their final stages. Once done, we would either depart immediately or after a short wait.

I wanted to leave as soon as possible, but—

‘If I have a little time, I should meet with the branch manager and give a final report to the Poison King.’

It was important to tie up all loose ends before departing.

I was mentally sorting my priorities when—

“Division Leader.”

A soft, melodic voice reached my ears. At the same time, a faint floral scent teased my nose.

My expression tightened slightly as I turned.

The first thing I saw was golden hair shimmering in the sunlight.

It was Wi Seol-ah.

“…Oh…”

“The preparations are complete.”

“I-is that so? You have done well.”

I tried to keep my tone even, but my voice betrayed me, shaking uncontrollably.

It was because of what Tang So-yeol had said.

Wi Seol-ah’s gaze remained fixed on me. Her eyes were steady—so steady that meeting them made me feel uneasy.

“Division Leader, are you feeling unwell?”

“Y-yes, I am fine.”

I forced myself not to look away, but she must have noticed the tremor in my eyes.

“…Division Leader?”

“Ah, damn it.”

The words I meant to keep internal slipped out.

Wi Seol-ah’s eyes widened at the sudden profanity.

In this life, I had never cursed in her presence, not even once. But this time, I could not help it.

Honestly, it was her fault.

“You are unreasonably beautiful today. Stop making this so difficult for me.”

“…What?”

“…Why are you doing this to me?”

“N-no… I mean… I…”

My impulsive confession left Wi Seol-ah visibly flustered. She was old enough to be aware of her own beauty.

She had probably heard it a hundred times from others by now.

And yet, such simple words left her shaken. Even her reaction was—

‘Damn it.’

My hand twitched at the thought.

I nearly slapped myself but managed to stop the impulse.

‘This is completely messed up.’

Ever since the incident, it felt like my emotions were spiraling out of control.

Right now, I wanted to grab her cheek—or perhaps something else entirely.

Smack!

Unable to stop myself, I slapped my own face.

“Division Leader—!”

Startled, Wi Seol-ah grabbed my arm, her voice trembling. Even her usual formal address for me had shifted.

“Why… Why would you do that?!”

“It is nothing. I just needed to regain my composure.”

“What are you talking about…?”

I had to get a grip.

‘What in the world is wrong with me?’

Thump. Thump.

My heart was pounding wildly, as if urging me to surrender.

This was pure greed—a hunger to claim what was mine. It whispered, *Why hesitate? Take it.*

‘I have always had a possessive nature, but this is different.’

Something inside me felt broken, making my body rebel.

Tang So-yeol’s words echoed in my mind.

She had said I was overly possessive.

I did not want to admit it, but it was true. Not just strong, but overwhelming.

Suppressing the surge of emotion, I asked,

“…Where are the others?”

“Ah… Sister Bi-ah is putting the final touches on her preparations, and Sister So-yeol should be here soon.”

Namgung Bi-ah was still recuperating, and Tang So-yeol was likely attending to final tasks elsewhere.

“I see.”

I let out a deep breath. My exhale carried a distinct heat.

‘This is dangerous.’

It truly was.

As one’s cultivation level rises, so should their patience—but my current state was like that of an animal in rut.

In rut?

‘Crude, but accurate.’

That was precisely what this was.

Pitifully, that was the state I found myself in.

“Division Leader…?”

Wi Seol-ah looked at me with concern, her clear, beautiful eyes filled with worry.

Her lips, soft and inviting, only made it worse.

Before I realized it, my hand began to move toward her lips.

But—

Flap! Whistle!

A bird suddenly alighted on Wi Seol-ah’s shoulder, breaking the moment.

“Huh?”

Startled, Wi Seol-ah glanced at the bird, and I followed her gaze.

‘A messenger bird?’

It was instantly recognizable.

Squinting, I leaned in to look, but the bird pecked the back of my hand as if in warning.

Yet, it sat calmly under Wi Seol-ah’s touch.

“There is a letter tied to its leg…”

Wi Seol-ah carefully untied the letter and passed it to me.

The moment I saw the emblem stamped upon it, my expression darkened.

There was only one organization in Zhongyuan that used a flower emblem of that particular color.

‘Baekhwa Trading Company.’

It was the company led by Mi Horan, my mother.

And this emblem—

‘It is the personal seal of the Head.’

Meaning it was written by Mi Horan herself.

‘What is this about?’

A sudden message from the Baekhwa Trading Company was unusual. Tilting my head, I opened the letter.

“…”

As I read the contents, my body went cold.

———————————-

«Your father has committed a crime against the Alliance and has been imprisoned.»

———————————-

The fiery pounding in my chest was extinguished, replaced by a chill that spread like frost.